Smart meters, dumb idea?

For the January issue of Marin Magazine, we sent reporter Nate Seltenrich to find out why so many Marin residents oppose PG&E’s smart meters.

The evening promised to be tense. PG&E, accepting an invitation from Fairfax Mayor Lew Tremaine, had come to town to clear the air about smart meters. The historically progressive burg had made no mystery of its position on the utility’s new wireless energy meters; in July, citing health, safety and privacy questions, it demanded a six-month moratorium. Many residents had already made up their minds: smart meters were not welcome in Fairfax. Period.